Rural

Kansas Proposes $20,000 Training Subsidy to Address Rural Lawyer Shortage

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WICHITA, Kan. — A significant legal desert is expanding across rural Kansas as the area faces a shortage of attorneys, a trend that could escalate without intervention. With the vast majority of the state’s lawyers practicing in urban centers, less-populated regions are struggling to meet various legal needs, from civil to criminal cases. Kansas is home to approximately 7,000 attorneys, yet about 80% of them are based in metropolitan areas, leaving the rural communities underserved. This imbalance raises concerns not only about access to justice but also about the constitutional implications for residents who may … Read more

Rohan Parashuram Kanawade’s Debut ‘Sabar Bonda’ Clinches Grand Jury Prize at Sundance 2025 for its Compelling Rural Love Story

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Sundance Film Festival, a prominent celebration of global cinema, has announced its award recipients for the 2025 edition. Among the exciting developments this year, the Marathi film “Sabar Bonda” clinched the World Cinema Grand Jury Prize for the Dramatic category, marking a significant achievement particularly as this is filmmaker Rohan Parashuram Kanawade’s debut feature. The film provides a poignant exploration of same-sex love, gracefully narrated against the rustic backdrop of a village close to Sangamner in Maharashtra’s Ahmednagar district. The story unfolds around Anand, a man in his thirties from the city, who, due to … Read more

Judge Brandon Neuman Sets Sights on Pennsylvania Superior Court Seat, Emphasizing Rural Representation and Legal Experience

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Harrisburg, PA – Washington County Judge Brandon Neuman is making a bid for higher office, setting his sights on a vacant seat in the Pennsylvania Superior Court in this year’s elections. Neuman, who has a history of public service as both a legislator and a judge, announced his candidacy after securing an endorsement at the Pennsylvania Democratic Party’s winter committee meeting. With a legal career that spans over a decade, Neuman has cultivated a diverse portfolio of judicial responsibilities. Since his election as a Court of Common Pleas judge in 2017, he has presided over … Read more

Justice Access Crisis: Wisconsin’s Shortage of Rural Lawyers Highlighted in ‘State of the Judiciary’ Address

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Elkhart Lake, Wis. — At this year’s “State of the Judiciary” address held in Elkhart Lake on Wednesday, the primary focus was on the pressing issue of access to justice, emphasizing the alarming shortage of lawyers, particularly in rural Wisconsin. The scarcity of legal professionals in these areas poses a significant challenge to fulfilling the constitutional right to legal representation. During the summit, Wisconsin Supreme Court Chief Justice Annette Ziegler highlighted the existence of “legal deserts” in the state where some communities lack even a single attorney to handle cases. This situation is exacerbated by … Read more